Pain after Colonoscopy

[jmadzula1]

Hi,

I am 23 years old, and got my first colonoscopy yesterday. They found "very large" polyp and removed it, but ever since the Colonoscopy, I am having really bad abdominal pain, even worse from when I was first diagnosed with colitis.

I called the doctor today, and they just said its probably gas build up, and I am trying to pass gas, but it literally hurts when I try to push (hurts my pelvic area) and I am unable to pass more then a couple of small stools...

He said that I should just take tylenol and ride it out... Wth... I hate doctors who are afraid to prescribe pain meds... YOU ARE A DOCTOR, DO YOUR JOB!

Ugh, sorry, I am just so upset, and I don't want to sit in the hospital another night by myself, I get so panicky, and the copay for the darn hospital is soo expensive!

Anything I can do? I've tried peppermint tea, tried to drink soda and cause myself to burp (not a lot of Soda)...

Help pleaseeee!!!

 

[David]

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this, it must be so frustrating and scary.

I'm sitting here staring at the screen wishing I had some good advice, alas, I do not. Other than the requisite, "If you think you might need to go to the ER, go to the ER" as your health is more important than an expensive copay.

Hopefully someone else will come along with some ideas but I wanted to post so you know you've been heard and that we care.

*hugs*

 

[David]

Actually, an idea just came to me. If it IS indeed gas like the doctor said, then this yoga pose should help. One of its many names is, "Wind relieving pose" and for good reason

I hope it helps!

 

[lookame]

Hey there. I meant to pm you back but the screen timed out. Anyway the pain is normal especially since he biopsied your insides, but it's really probably gas. Keep an eye out for suspicious things like intense unbareable pain, vometting, fever ect. Blood and black diarreah are also normal since they took biopsies. If you feel like there is trapped air lay on your back and gently rub your tummy in circular motions starting up around your belly button in a clockwise motion. It often releives the built up gas in me.

Try to take t easy though lay on the couch and ask someone to help you out a little while you recover. Eat and drink things which won;t cause more discomfort(like brothy soups) and drink water.

 

[Trysha]

Hi Jmadzula,
Sorry to hear of your discomfort.
It was similar pain for me,after the colonoscopy,and I found a hot water bottle helped.Also drinking warm water helped me and gradually the pain improved.
Of course if you get worse then there is no option but to call your doctor or go to ER.
Feel better soon.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[jmadzula1]

Hi,

Thanks for everyones suggestions. I talked with someone else, a Doctor online (I know, I am a mess lol) and he said he is concerned it may be perforation.

I am going to try the yoga pose now and see what happens.

 

[rygon]

I also use this sort of pose (but with my arse in the air more)http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/475
Ive just had a flexi, and the pain afterwards was unbearble, it really hurt, but after an hour I started to pass wind and it helped a lot. 2days later its pretty much back to normal. Also lying on your left side is supposed to help.

Gas pushing on your intestines isnt fun, especially with crohns, which i find makes it harder to fart as well

 

[lisakuney]

GasX tablets work pretty well too. I had a lot of pain after my colonoscopy too.

 

[KWalker]

Thanks for posting this. After reading this I've determined I'm cancelling my scope this coming Friday. Ill also be having biopsies done and don't want want to be in anymore pain right now having just got out of surgery. I need a break to recover.

Thanks for the heads up and I hope you feel better soon.

 

[PsychoJane]

Hey oh!
I would say make sure you don't have any fever. Pain can be "normal" post colonoscopy but intense pain really need to be checked out as it is a possibility that it is a perforation. My mom had sigmoid one last spring from her colonoscopy. So if you have chill,fever, nausea don't even ask yourself the question and go to ER.

I hope that's not it and only temporary pain.
Get better!

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

I don't think some temporary gas pain is a good reason to cancel a scope, if one is needed.

 

[KWalker]

I don't think some temporary gas pain is a good reason to cancel a scope, if one is needed.

It's only because I'm currently still in the hospital after surgery after having a rather large incision for a pari-anal abscess so it's a really sensitve/sore area right now and I need a break for a little while from the hospital. I'm not really cancelling it....more like....post poning it for a little

 

[McStew]

Sorry you're not feeling well after the colonoscopy. I just got one today, so I know what you're going through. I'm not feeling too hot myself. I'm not in pain, but I just feel....blahhh. I was in pretty bad pain beforehand and afterwards. I suggest trying to watch a nice, funny, lighthearted movie. Maybe a bath might help too?

Keep us posted on how you're feeling.

 

[tishbite]

That's too bad your doctor wont prescribe pain meds. You could try getting a medical marijuana license if that is legal where you live. I know it helps me a lot with crohn's related pain and I believe crohn's is somewhere within the top 5 illnesses that is used to treat. I know after I have my colonoscopy I am really really gassy for at least a few days afterwards. It could just be gas pain. I would take a bath/use a heating pad and maybe take some miralax to get your bowels moving.

 

[jmadzula1]

That's too bad your doctor wont prescribe pain meds. You could try getting a medical marijuana license if that is legal where you live. I know it helps me a lot with crohn's related pain and I believe crohn's is somewhere within the top 5 illnesses that is used to treat. I know after I have my colonoscopy I am really really gassy for at least a few days afterwards. It could just be gas pain. I would take a bath/use a heating pad and maybe take some miralax to get your bowels moving.

Hi,

Because of my job, that could be.... Frowned upon... But thank you for your suggestion

 

[Dogluv]

After I had my first colonoscopy I was really shaky, and had abdominal pain so they admitted me thinking it may be a perforation, but it turned out to be gas I couldn't release, so I had an ng tube to suck it out. I think if the pain continues you should go to the doctor or er to figure out if it's a perforation, or gas because either way you may need medical attention. Does it hurt worse when you eat?

 

[cmastro]

How long after your colonoscopy did the gas pains last? Mine has been 3 weeks. The dr. does not think the gas could last that long. How does that ng tube work? Outpatient?